Primary health care nurses' management practices of common mental health conditions in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Faith N Dube,Leana R Uys

doi:10.4102/curationis.v38i1.1168

Abstract

BackgroundPsychiatric conditions contribute to 13% of the global burden of diseases and account for one third of years lost because of disability (YLD). Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems, primary health care (PHC) services remain ineffective in managing patients with mental health conditions.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to determine the practices of PHC nurses in the management of psychiatric patients in primary health care clinics in one of the rural districts in South Africa.MethodA survey was conducted amongst nurses working in several PHC clinics in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in order to determine their practices in the management of psychiatric patients. Mixed methods were used to determine the PHC nurses practices in the management of psychiatric patients.ResultsThe findings revealed that in five sites (83.3%) treatments are not reviewed every six months, there were no local protocols on the administration of psychiatric emergency drugs, and none of the study sites provided psychiatric patients with education on their medication and its possible side effects.ConclusionBased on the results of this study it is evident that psychiatric patients at PHC clinics in the district where the study was conducted do not receive quality treatment according to institutional mental health guidelines.

Highlights

Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems, primary health care (PHC) services remain ineffective in managing patients with mental health conditions
The study explored the practices used in the management of psychiatric clients at selected PHC clinics by looking whether PHC nurses implemented the principles of the Standard Treatment Guidelines for Common Mental Health Conditions
Based on the findings of the study, it is evident that psychiatric patients do not receive the quality mental health services they deserve

Summary

Introduction

Psychiatric conditions contribute to 13% of the global burden of diseases and account for one third of years lost because of disability (YLD) (World Health Organisation [WHO] 2008a). The high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in South Africa can be attributed to exposure to violence and crime, the high prevalence of HIV infection and substance abuse (National Department of Health 2013b). As PHC clinics are generally the first point of contact patients seeking treatment (National Department of Health 2010), a mental health policy based on primary care principles was adopted in 1997 (WHO 2008b). Psychiatric conditions contribute to 13% of the global burden of diseases and account for one third of years lost because of disability (YLD).

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion